International Journal of Aeronautical and Space Sciences

The Korean Society for Aeronautical and Space Sciences (한국항공우주학회)
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Patch-type large strain sensor using elastomeric composite filled with carbon nanofibers

  • Yasuoka, Tetsuo (Department of Mechanical Sciences & Engineering, Tokyo Institute of Technology) ;
  • Shimamura, Yoshinobu (Department of Mechanical Engineering, Shizuoka University) ;
  • Todoroki, Akira (Department of Mechanical Sciences & Engineering, Tokyo Institute of Technology)
  • Received : 2013.03.06
  • Accepted : 2013.04.16
  • Published : 2013.06.30
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Abstract

Carbon nanofibers (CNFs) are electrically conductive. When CNFs are used as fillers in resin, this electrical conductivity can be yielded without adversely affecting the mechanical properties of the resin. When an elastomer is adopted as the resin, a conductive elastomer can then be produced. Due to its flexibility and conductive properties, a large strain sensor based on changes in resistivity may be produced, for strain sensing in flexible structures. In this study, a patch-type large strain sensor using resistivity change in a CNF/elastomer composite was proposed. The measurement limits of the sensor were investigated experimentally, and the limit was found to be 40%, which greatly exceeded the limits of conventional metal-foiled strain gages. Also, the proposed CNF/elastomer large strain sensor can be used to measure flexible materials, while conventional strain gages cannot be used to measure such strains.

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References

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